Patents

Here are a few options to get you started on the patent process or you can schedule an appointment for one-on-one assistance detailing all the resources the library has to offer for patent research.

A great place to start:

• How to Conduct a Preliminary U.S. Patent Search: A Step by Step Strategy - A web based tutorial (approx. 36 minutes)

Additional patent research resources:

• USPTO Web Patent Database - Full text of all U.S. patents issued since January 1, 1976 and images and PDFs of every patent issued since 1790.
• General Information Concerning Patents - Provides information in nontechnical language concerning the application for and granting of patents. Answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the patent application process.
• The Seven-Step Strategy - Outlines a suggested procedure for patent searching.

Resources that are limited to in-library access only by using a PTRC Workstation:

• PubEAST - The "public" version of the Examiner's Automated Search Tool provides seamless access for searching patent full-text and abstract databases.
• PubWEST - The "public" version of the Web-based Examiner's Search Tool offers a server-based application tool for searching patent full-text and abstract databases.